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Leviticus 27:26 — Word Study

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WLCאַךְ־ בְּכ֞וֹר אֲשֶׁר־ יְבֻכַּ֤ר לַֽיהוָה֙ בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה לֹֽא־ יַקְדִּ֥ישׁ אִ֖ישׁ אֹת֑וֹ אִם־ שׁ֣וֹר אִם־ שֶׂ֔ה לַֽיהוָ֖ה הֽוּא׃

BSAButʼak nolôʼ oneʼîysh [no man, not a single person] may consecrateqâdash [set apart, dedicate] a firstbornbᵉkôwr [the first produced, the chief] of the livestockbᵉhêmâh [animals, beasts] becauseʼăsher a firstbornbâkar [the firstling, the premier] belongs to the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] Whether [it is]ʼim an oxshôwr [cattle, a bullock] orʼim a sheepseh [a goat, a flock] it [is]hûwʼ the LORD’sYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah's, God's own]

Word
Listen & take awayLeviticus 27
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 26 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (Hu') — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Leviticus 27:26quick helps
In a sentenceThis verse states that no one may consecrate a firstborn animal because it already belongs to the LORD.
Who is speakingThe speaker is God, laying down the law regarding firstborn livestock.
Where we areThis verse is part of the laws concerning valuations and offerings in Leviticus.
The hard wordיְבֻכַּר
Take awayThe firstborn of livestock is inherently sacred and cannot be dedicated again.
7 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectאִישׁ verbבָּכַר The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Leviticus 27:26

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Laws on Valuations and Offeringsgenerated

25Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.
26But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.
27But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.
28Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:26 establishes that the firstborn of livestock is already dedicated to the LORD and cannot be consecrated by anyone. This reflects the broader theme of holiness and dedication in the laws given to Israel, emphasizing the special status of the firstborn as belonging to God. This principle is echoed in other passages, such as Exodus 13:2, where the firstborn is set apart for the LORD.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Exodus 13:2–12“Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
2Exodus 22:30You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but on the eighth day you are to give them to Me.
3Numbers 18:17But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
4Deuteronomy 15:19You must set apart to the LORD your God every firstborn male produced by your herds and flocks. You are not to put the firstborn of your oxen to work, nor are you to shear the firstborn of your flock.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יְבֻכַּר, ye.vu.Kargenerated

The verb יְבֻכַּר (ye.vu.Kar) is in the Pual stem, indicating a passive action, meaning 'it will be born a firstling.' This construction emphasizes the inherent status of the firstborn, which is not merely a title but a designation of belonging and sanctity.

This word is connected to the concept of the birthright and the responsibilities that come with being the firstborn. In biblical contexts, the firstborn often holds a unique position of honor and duty, which is why it is significant that this status is not to be altered or re-consecrated.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In this study, the verse is primarily analyzed in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses the phrase may consecrate.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The structure of the verse is governed by the main verb יַקְדִּ֥ישׁ (yak.Dish), meaning 'he will set apart as holy.' The sentence includes a subject, אִ֖ישׁ ('ish), meaning 'anyone,' and predicates that describe the firstborn livestock, שׁ֣וֹר (Shor) and שֶׂ֔ה (Seh).

The overall sentence structure is complex, featuring a main clause and several subordinate clauses that clarify the conditions under which the firstborn cannot be consecrated.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word יְבֻכַּר is rendered as γένηται (genētai), meaning 'it will be born.' This translation maintains the focus on the act of being born a firstling, reflecting the same concept of inherent status.

The choice of γένηται shows a direct correspondence to the Hebrew, emphasizing the continuity of meaning across the translations and the significance of the firstborn's role.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Leviticus 27:26 makes it clear that no one can consecrate a firstborn animal because it already belongs to the LORD. This applies whether the animal is an ox or a sheep, emphasizing the special status of the firstborn in the eyes of God.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that the firstborn belongs to the LORD?

It signifies that the firstborn is set apart for God and holds a special status, which cannot be altered or re-consecrated by anyone.

Why can't anyone consecrate a firstborn animal?

Because the firstborn already belongs to the LORD, it is inherently sacred and does not require further dedication.

What types of animals are included in this verse?

The verse specifically mentions oxen and sheep, but the principle applies to all firstborn livestock.

How does this verse relate to other laws in the Bible?

It connects to other passages that discuss the sanctity of the firstborn, such as Exodus 13:2, reinforcing the idea of dedicated offerings to God.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What does the concept of the firstborn mean in my own life?
  2. How can I recognize and honor what belongs to God in my daily actions?
  3. In what ways can I reflect the sanctity of my commitments to God?
  4. How does understanding the laws about the firstborn enhance my appreciation for God's holiness?

Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Leviticus 27:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Only the firstlings of the beasts,.... These are excepted from being sanctified, or set apart for sacred uses, for a very good reason, suggested in the next clause: which should be the Lord's

Read John Gill on Leviticus 27 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD's firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD's. Only the firstling.

Read Robert Jamieson on Leviticus 27 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

No man shall sanctify it, to wit, by vow; because it is not his own, but the Lord’ s already, and therefore to vow such a thing to God is a tacit derogation from and a usurpation of the Lord’ s right, and a mocking of God by pretending to give him what we cannot withhold from him. Ox or sheep: under these two eminent kinds he comprehends all other beasts which might be sacrificed to God, the firstlings whereof could not be redeemed, but were to be sacrificed; whereas the firstlings of men were to be redeemed, and therefore were capable of being vowed, as we see .

Read Matthew Poole on Leviticus 27 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Leviticus 27:26 Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD’ S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether [it be] ox, or sheep: it [is] the LORD’ S.Ver. 26. No man shall sanctify.] Because they were due unto the Lord before.

Read John Trapp on Leviticus 27 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) Only the firstling of the beasts.—Better, nevertheless the firstlings, &c, as this rendering also suits Leviticus 27:28, which begins with the same particle, and which is translated in the Authorised Version, “not withstanding.” Having laid down the regulations about the four classes of objects which may be vowed to the Lord—viz.: 1, persons (Leviticus 27:2-8); 2, animals (Leviticus 27:9-13); 3, houses (Leviticus 27:14-15); and 4, lands (Leviticus 27:16-25)—the legislator concludes by pointing out two exceptions to the rules about votive offerings hitherto discussed. The two classes of objects which are forbidden to be vowed are (1) the firstlings of beasts and (2) devoted things. The…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Leviticus 27 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26, 29. Classes which may not be vowed Firstlings are already the Lord’s (Exodus 13:2). If the firstling is, that of an animal which is reckoned among the ‘unclean’ (according to the rule laid down, ch. Leviticus 11:3), it is to be valued and redeemed at 1 1/5 of its valuation. Driver, Exodus 13:13 (J), points out that P’s law, as given here, is more favourable to the priests. In Exod. the redemption is to be made by a lamb, a less valuable animal.

Read Cambridge on Leviticus 27 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

AND UNCLEAN BEASTS, Leviticus 27:26-27. 26, 27. The Lord’s firstling — This being already the Lord’s, since the first passover in Egypt could not be the object of a vow. Exodus 13:1-2.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Leviticus 27 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

“‘However the firstborn among animals, which belongs to Yahweh as a firstborn, no man may dedicate, whether an ox or a sheep. It is Yahweh’s.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s.

NETBNew English Translation2006

“‘Surely no man may consecrate a firstborn that already belongs to the Lord as a firstborn among the animals; whether it is an ox or a sheep, it belongs to the Lord.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD’s firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox, or sheep: it is the LORD’s.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

Only the firstling among beasts, which is made a firstling to Jehovah, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox or sheep, it is Jehovah’s.

RVARevised Version, American1894

Only the firstling among beasts, which is made a firstling to the LORD, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox or sheep, it is the LORD’S.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD'S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether ox, or sheep: it is the LORD'S.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Notwithstanding the first borne of the beastes, because it is the Lordes first borne, none shall dedicate such, be it bullocke, or sheepe; for it is the Lords.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

Only the firstling which is offered as firstling to Jehovah among the cattle, that shall no man hallow, whether it be ox or sheep; it is Jehovah's.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

'Only, a firstling which is Jehovah's firstling among beasts — no man doth sanctify it, whether ox or sheep; it [is] Jehovah's.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

Only, a firstling which is YHWH’s firstling among beasts—no man sanctifies it, whether ox or sheep; it [is] YHWH’s.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Only the first-born which shall, by being first born, be sacred unto the Lord among cattle, no man shall sanctify; whether it be ox, or lamb, it is the Lord's.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

No one may set apart the firstborn among animals, since the firstborn already belongs to Yahweh; whether ox or sheep, it is Yahweh's.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

The firstborn, which belong to the Lord, no man may sanctify and vow: whether it be bullock, or sheep, they are the Lord’s.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

No one is allowed to dedicate the firstborn of the livestock, because the firstborn belongs to the Lord. Whether they are cattle, sheep, or goats, they are the Lord's.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

But a man may not give by oath to the Lord the first-fruits of cattle which are offered to the Lord: if it is an ox or a sheep it is the Lord's.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseclausenoun phraseאַךְneverthelessnoun phraseבְּכ֞וֹרa.firstbornrelpאֲשֶׁרwhichclauseverbיְבֻכַּ֤רit.will.be.belong.as.a.firstlingprepositional phrase · prepositionalלַֽtoיהוָה֙Yahwehprepositional phrase · prepositionalבִּamongבְהֵמָ֔הlivestockclauseadverbialלֹֽאnotverbיַקְדִּ֥ישׁhe.will.set.apart.as.holysubjectאִ֖ישׁanyonenoun phrase · objectאֹת֑וֹitclauseclauseאִםwhetherclausepredicateשׁ֣וֹרan.oxאִםorclausepredicateשֶׂ֔הa.sheepclauseprepositional phrase · predicateלַֽ[belongs].toיהוָ֖הYahwehsubjectהֽוּאit

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text is supported by the Septuagint, which closely matches its wording. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs slightly by including the word כל (kol), meaning 'whole,' indicating a broader scope regarding the firstborn.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

אַךְ־ בְּכ֞וֹר אֲשֶׁר־ יְבֻכַּ֤ר לַֽיהוָה֙ בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה לֹֽא־ יַקְדִּ֥ישׁ אִ֖ישׁ אֹת֑וֹ אִם־ שׁ֣וֹר אִם־ שֶׂ֔ה לַֽיהוָ֖ה הֽוּא׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
אַךְ־καὶבְּכ֞וֹרπρωτότοκονאֲשֶׁר־יְבֻכַּ֤רγένηταιלַֽיהוָה֙κυρίῳבִּבְהֵמָ֔הἐνלֹֽא־οὐיַקְדִּ֥ישׁκαθαγιάσειאִ֖ישׁοὐθεὶςאֹת֑וֹαὐτόשׁ֣וֹרμόσξονשֶׂ֔הπρόβατονלַֽיהוָ֖הκυρίῳהֽוּא׃ἐστίν

14 of the 16 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

אך כל בכור אשׁר יבכר ליהוה בבהמה לא יקדישׁ אישׁ אתו אם שׁור אם שׂה ליהוה הוא

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: כל (whole)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Leviticus 27:26אַךְneverthelesneverthelessאַךְבְּכוֹרa firstborna firstbornבְּכוֹראֲשֶׁרwhichwhichאֲשֶׁרבָּכַרit will be it will be bornבָּכַריהוה[belongs] t[belongs] to Yaיהוהבְּהֵמָהamong livesamong livestockבְּהֵמָהלֹאnotnotלֹאקָדַשׁhe will sethe will set apaקָדַשׁאִישׁanyoneanyoneאִישׁאֵתthe object the object markאֵתאִםwhetherwhetherאִםשׁוֹרan oxan oxשׁוֹראִםororאִםשֶׂהa sheepa sheepשֶׂהיהוה[belongs] t[belongs] to Yaיהוההוּאititהוּאהָיָהto beto beהָיָהבָּכַרto be/bearto be/bear firsבָּכַרבִּכּוּרִיםfirstfruitfirstfruitבִּכּוּרִיםאוֹתsign: mirasign: miraculouאוֹתשׁוּרto travelto travelשׁוּרשָׁאָהto crashto crashשָׁאָהאָכֵןsurelysurelyאָכֵןאֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהנְאֻםutteranceutteranceנְאֻםצָבָאarmyarmyצָבָאחֵןfavorfavorחֵןיֵשׁtherethereיֵשׁמַחְסוֹרneedneedמַחְסוֹרהֶ֫בֶלvanityvanityהֶ֫בֶלפָּדָהto ransomto ransomפָּדָהצָוָהto commandto commandצָוָהלֹאnotnotלֹא
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Leviticus 27:26

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אַךְ־'akh- nevertheless H389 Adverb
161× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Tyndale gloss
surely
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אַךְ (ak) is an adverb meaning 'surely' or 'indeed,' often used to emphasize what follows. It can also carry a restrictive sense, translating to 'only' or 'but.' The entries indicate its use in various contexts, but do not provide specific verse references.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H389 אַךְ 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

389 'ak ak

akin to 403; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by

limitation) only:--also, in any wise, at least, but,

certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only,

save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, + wherefore, yet

(but).

see HEBREW for 0403

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אַךְ (akh) — surely.

1) indeed, surely (emphatic)

2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
DirObjM — Adverb
HD
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
בְּכ֞וֹרbe.Khor a firstborn H1060 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
122× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this word refers to the firstborn child or animal, often holding a special status or responsibility. It appears in stories like Genesis and Exodus, highlighting the importance of birth order. The KJV translates it as 'eldest' or 'firstborn'.
Amplified meaning
the first produced, the chief
Tyndale gloss
firstborn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּכוֹר (bekor) means 'first-born' and can refer to both humans and animals. It denotes the eldest son or daughter and can also be used figuratively. The word is derived from a root that emphasizes the concept of being first or chief.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּכוֹר 122 n.m. first-born

men and women

animals

figurative

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1060 בְּכוֹר first-born

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1060 bkowr bek-ore'

from 1069; firstborn; hence, chief:--eldest (son),

firstborn(-ling).

see HEBREW for 01069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּכוֹר (be.khor) — firstborn.

1) firstborn, firstling

1a) of men and women

1b) of animals

1c) noun of relation (fig.)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Smith's Bible Dictionary

Under the law, in memory of the exodus (when the first-born of the Egyptians were slain), the eldest son was regarded as devoted to God, and was in very case to be redeemed by an offering not exceeding five shekels, within one month from birth. If he died before the expiration of thirty days, the Jewish doctors held the father excused, but liable to the payment if he outlived that time. (Exodus 13:12-15,16; Leviticus 27:6) The eldest son received a double portion of the father’s inheritance, (21:17) but not of the mother’s. Under the monarchy the eldest son usually, but no always, as appears in the case of Solomon, succeeded his father in the kingdom. (1 Kings 1:30; 2:22) The male first-born of animals was also devoted to God.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

This phrase is not always to be understood literally; it is sometimes taken for the prime, most excellent, most distinguished of things, Ps 89:27 Ro 8:29 Heb 1:4-6. Thus Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of every creature," Col 1:15, inasmuch as he was the "Only begotten" of the Father before any creature was produced. He is "the firstborn from the dead," Col 1:18, because he is the beginning, and the author of the resurrection of all who die in faith.

After the destroying angel had slain the firstborn of the Egyptians, God ordained that all the Jewish firstborn, both of men and of beasts for service, should be consecrated to…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of man and beast, reserved to himself by God Ex 13:2,12-16; 22:29,30; 34:19,20; Le 27:26; Nu 3:13; 8:17,18; De 15:19-23; Ne 10:36

→ Redemption of Ex 13:13; 34:20; Le 27:27; Nu 3:40-51; 18:15-17

→ Levites taken instead of firstborn of the families of Israel Nu 3:12,40-45; 8:16-18

nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher- which H834 Particle
5,500× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Tyndale gloss
which
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֲשֶׁר (*asher*) is a relative pronoun that can mean 'who,' 'which,' or 'that.' It serves various grammatical functions, including as an adverb or conjunction, indicating relationships between clauses, places, or conditions. Variants like בַאֲשֶׁר (*ba-asher*), מֵאֲשֶׁר (*me-asher*), and כַּאֲשֶׁר (*ka-asher*) expand its usage to specific contexts such as location, causation, and time.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

base

בַאֲשֶׁר

in (that) which

adv. in (the place) where

conj. in that, inasmuch as

on account of whom?

base

מֵאֲשֶׁר

from (or than) that which

adv. from (the place) where

conj. from (the fact) that …, since

base

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

according to that which, according as, as

with a causal force, in so far as, since

with a temporal force, when

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H834a אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause. H834b בַאֲשֶׁר . in (that) which

. adv. in (the place) where

. conj. in that, inasmuch as

. on account of whom?

H834c מֵאֲשֶׁר . from (or than) that which

. adv. from (the place) where

. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H834d כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when . according to that which, according as, as

. with a causal force, in so far as, since

. with a temporal force, when

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

834 'aher ash-er'

a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction)

when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.:--X after, X

alike, as (soon as), because, X every, for, + forasmuch, +

from whence, + how(-soever), X if, (so) that ((thing) which,

wherein), X though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where

(+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, +

whither(- soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is

indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun

expletively, used to show the connection.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) — which.

A: 1) (relative part.)

1a) which, who

1b) that which

2) (conj)

2a) that (in obj clause)

2b) when

2c) since

2d) as

2e) conditional if

B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

D: Kaph+

1) (conj.), according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since

1c) with a temporal force: when

בַאֲשֶׁר (ba.a.sher) — in which.

1) in (that) which

2) (adv)

2a) where

3) (conj)

3a) in that, inasmuch as

3b) on account of

מֵאֲשֶׁר (me.a.sher) — whence.

1) from (or than) that which

2) from (the place) where

3) from (the fact) that, since

כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka.a.sher) — as which.

conj

1) according as, as, when

1a) according to that which, according as, as

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Rel — Particle
HTr
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
יְבֻכַּ֤רye.vu.Kar it will be born a firstling H1069 Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This verb means to give the birthright or to be the firstborn, often referring to the special status of the first child. In Genesis, it describes the rights of the firstborn son. The KJV translates it as make firstborn.
Amplified meaning
the firstling, the premier
Tyndale gloss
to be/bear firstborn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בָּכַר (bakhar) is a Hebrew verb that primarily means to bear early or new fruit, often in the context of being firstborn. It can refer to both humans and trees, indicating the act of giving birth or producing firstlings. The entries highlight its use in various forms, including making someone a firstborn or bearing a first child.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[בָּכַר]

vb.Pi.

bear early, new fruit

make or constitute as first-born

Pu. born or made a firstling.

Hiph. one bearing her first child

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1069 [בָּכַר] . . bear early, new fruit

. make or constitute as first-born

. born or made a firstling.

. one bearing her first child

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1069 bakar baw-kar'

a primitive root; properly, to burst the womb, i.e.

(causatively) bear or make early fruit (of woman or tree);

also (as denominative from 1061) to give the birthright:--make

firstborn, be firstling, bring forth first child (new fruit).

see HEBREW for 01061

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בָּכַר (ba.khar) — to be/bear firstborn.

1) to be born first

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to bear early, new fruit

1a2) to give the right of the firstborn

1a2a) to make as firstborn

1a2b) to constitute as firstborn

1b) (Pual)

1b1) to be born a firstling

1b2) to be made a firstling

1c) (Hiphil) one bearing her first child

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Pual-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Pual · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVPi3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See FIRSTBORN.

Nave's Topical Bible

→ See FIRSTBORN

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
לַֽיהוָה֙la.Yah.weh [belongs] to Yahweh H3068 Preposition · noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah, The covenant Name of God
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
בִּבְהֵמָ֔הbiv.he.Mah among livestock H929 Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
190× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Amplified meaning
animals, beasts
Tyndale gloss
animal
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בְּהֵמָה (bhemah) refers to a beast or animal, typically denoting domesticated livestock or cattle, and occasionally wild beasts. It is derived from a root that suggests being mute, implying a 'dumb beast.' The term encompasses all living creatures other than humans, with a specific mention of large quadrupeds.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בְּהֵמָה 187 n.f. beast, animal, cattle

of living creatures other than man

opp. also to wild beasts

rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H929 בְּהֵמָה beast, animal, cattle . of living creatures other than man

. opp. also to wild beasts

. rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

929 bhemah be-hay-maw'

from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute); properly,

a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often

collective):--beast, cattle.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בְּהֵמָה (be.he.mah) — animal.

1) beast, cattle, animal

1a) beasts (coll of all animals)

1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals)

1c) wild beasts

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absolute
HR/Ncfsa
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
לֹֽא־lo'- not H3808 Particle
5,170× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Tyndale gloss
not
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3808 lo' lo

or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often

used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,

ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,

no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out

of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +

of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

לֹא (lo) — not.

1) not, no

1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)

1b) not (with modifier-negation)

1c) nothing (subst)

1d) without (with particle)

1e) before (of time)

Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Part — Particle
HTn
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
יַקְדִּ֥ישׁyak.Dish he will set apart as holy H6942 Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
171× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Amplified meaning
set apart, dedicate
Tyndale gloss
to consecrate: consecate
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָדַשׁ (qadash) is a verb meaning to consecrate or set apart as sacred. It encompasses various actions such as being hallowed, treated as sacred, or dedicated, and can refer to both people and things. The entries detail its use in different forms, including Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual, Hiphil, and Hithpael, indicating a range of meanings from purification to separation from the unclean.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated

Qal

be set apart, consecrated, hallowed

be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay

consecrated, tabooed (supr.)

Niph.

shew oneself sacred, majestic

be honored or treated as sacred

be consecrated, dedicated

Pi.

set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

observe as holy, keep sacred

honor as sacred, hallow

consecrate by purification

Pu. consecrated, dedicated

Hiph.

set apart, consecrate

regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed

consecrate by purification

Hithp.

keep oneself apart from unclean things

of God, cause himself to be hallowed

be observed as holy

consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6942 קָדַשׁ vb. denom. be set apart, consecrated .. be set apart, consecrated, hallowed

. be hallowed, by contact with sacred things, and so tabooed from profane use, or forfeited to sancturay

. consecrated, tabooed (supr.)

. . shew oneself sacred, majestic

. be honored or treated as sacred

. be consecrated, dedicated

. . set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

. observe as holy, keep sacred

. honor as sacred, hallow

. consecrate by purification

. consecrated, dedicated

. . set apart, consecrate

. regard or treat, as sacred, hallowed

. consecrate by purification

. . keep oneself apart from unclean things

. of God, cause himself to be hallowed

. be observed as holy

. consecrate oneself by purification, of priests and Levites

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6942 qadash kaw-dash'

a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or

observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):--appoint, bid,

consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er,

place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one,

self), X wholly.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: consecate.

: consecate/sanctify

1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated

1a2) to be hallowed

1a3) consecrated, tabooed

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic

1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred

1b3) to be holy

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate

1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred

1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow

1c4) to consecrate

1d) (Pual)

1d1) to be consecrated

1d2) consecrated, dedicated

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate

1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow

1e3) to consecrate

1f) (Hithpael)

1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate

1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God)

1f3) to be observed as holy

1f4) to consecrate oneself

קָדַשׁ (qa.dash) — to consecrate: dedicate.

: dedicate

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVhi3ms
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אִ֖ישׁ'ish anyone H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Amplified meaning
no man, not a single person
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אֹת֑וֹ'o.To the object marker it H853 Particle · suffix
10,946× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Tyndale gloss
[Obj.]
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

853 'eth ayth

apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of

entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more

definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or

namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

see HEBREW for 0226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵת (et) — [Obj.].

sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative

Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTo/Sp3ms — Particle · suffix
HTo/Sp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אִם־'im- whether H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
שׁ֣וֹרShor an ox H7794 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
79× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to cattle, like oxen or bulls, used for work, food, or sacrifices, as seen in Genesis and Leviticus.
Amplified meaning
cattle, a bullock
Tyndale gloss
cattle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שׁוֹר (shor) refers to a head of cattle, specifically a bullock or ox, and is associated with agricultural and sacrificial contexts. It is derived from the root meaning to travel, indicating its role in farming and food. The term appears in various forms and usages, including in Aramaic.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוֹר 78 n.m. a head of cattle, bullock, ox, etc.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7794 שׁוֹר a head of cattle, bullock, ox, etc.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7794 showr shore

from 7788; a bullock (as a traveller):--bull(-ock), cow, ox,

wall (by mistake for 7791).

see HEBREW for 07788

see HEBREW for 07791

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוֹר (shor) — cattle.

1) ox, bull, a head of cattle

1a) for plowing, for food, as sacrifice

Aramaic equivalent: tor (תּוֹר "bullock" H8450)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Ox

Heb. bakar, “cattle;” “neat cattle”, (Gen. 12:16; 34:28; Job 1:3, 14; 42:12, etc.); not to be muzzled when treading the corn (Deut. 25:4). Referred to by our Lord in his reproof to the Pharisees (Luke 13:15; 14:5).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

There was no animal in the rural economy of the Israelites, or indeed in that of the ancient Orientals generally, that was held in higher esteem than the ox and deservedly so, for the ox was the animal upon whose patient labors depended all the ordinary operations of farming. Oxen were used for ploughing, (22:10; 1 Samuel 14:14) etc.; for treading out corn, (25:4; Hosea 10:11) etc.; for draught purposes, when they were generally yoked in pairs, (Numbers 7:3; 1 Samuel 6:7) etc.; as beasts of burden, (1 Chronicles 12:40) their flesh was eaten, (14:4; 1 Kings 1:9) etc.…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The male of the beeve kind when grown, synonymous in the Bible with BULL; a clean animal, by the Levitical law; much used for food, 1Ki 19:21, and constituting no small part of the wealth of the Hebrews in their pastoral life, Ge 24:35 Job 1:14 42:12. Oxen were used in agriculture for ploughing, 1Ki 19:19; and for treading out the grain, during which they were not to be muzzled, 1Co 9:9, but well fed, Isa 30:24. The testing of a new yoke of oxen is still a business of great importance in the East, as of old, Lu…

nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
אִם־'im- or H518 Particle
1,070× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Tyndale gloss
if
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אִם (im) is a Hebrew conjunction primarily meaning 'if' and is used in various contexts, including conditional clauses and interrogative situations. It can also express negation, alternatives, or exceptions, and appears frequently in the Old Testament. The lexicons note its use in oaths and its ability to connect different clauses, sometimes altering their meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִם conj.

hypoth. part. if

Interrog. part.

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H518a אִם conj. . hypoth. part. if

. Interrog. part.

H518b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

518 'im eem

a primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!;

interrog., whether?; or conditional, if, although; also Oh

that!, when; hence, as a negative, not:--(and, can-,

doubtless, if, that) (not), + but, either, + except, +

more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or,

+ save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, + surely (no more,

none, not), though, + of a truth, + unless, + verily, when,

whereas, whether, while, + yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִם (im) — if.

: if/whether_or/though

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

[כִּי] אם (ki im) — if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

אִם (im) — if: surely no.

: surely_no

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: surely yes.

: surely_yes

1) if

1a) conditional clauses

1a1) of possible situations

1a2) of impossible situations

1b) oath contexts

1b1) no, not

1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or

1d) when, whenever

1e) since

1f) interrogative particle

1g) but rather

אִם (im) — if: until.

: until/except

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

or: The word is used once for either (1Sa 26:10), and is still in poetic use in this sense; as in, "Without or wave or wind" (Coleridge); "Or the bakke or some bone he breketh in his dzouthe" (Piers Plowman (B), VII, 93; compare Merchant of Venice, III, ii, 65). It is also used with "ever" for before (Ps 90:2; Ecclesiasticus 18:19), which the American Standard Revised Version substitutes in Ec 12:6 (compare 12:1,2); So 6:12; Da 6:24.

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
שֶׂ֔הSeh a sheep H7716 Noun common · both singular absolute
47× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to a sheep or goat, often used to describe a flock or young animal in the Bible. It is also related to the word for lamb.
Amplified meaning
a goat, a flock
Tyndale gloss
sheep
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֶׂה (seh) refers to a member of a flock, specifically a sheep or goat. It encompasses various terms for livestock, including lambs and young goats, and can also denote a collective group. The word is derived from a root meaning to push out to graze, indicating its pastoral context.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֶׂה n.m. and (less oft.) f. one of a flock, sheep (or goat)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7716 שֶׂה one of a flock, sheep (or goat)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7716 seh seh

or sey {say}; probably from 7582 through the idea of pushing

out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or

goat:--(lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep.

Compare 2089.

see HEBREW for 07582

see HEBREW for 02089

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֶׂה (seh) — sheep.

1) one of a flock, lamb, sheep, goat, young sheep, young goat

1a) sheep, goat

1b) flock (collective)

Also means: zeh (זֶה "lamb" H2089)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absolute
HNcbsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

shep:

1. Names:

The usual Hebrew word is tso'n, which is often translated "flock," e.g. "Abel .... brought of the firstlings of his flock" (Ge 4:4); "butter of the herd, and milk of the flock" (De 32:14). The King James Version and the English Revised Version have "milk of sheep." Compare Arabic da'n. The Greek word is probaton. For other names, see notes under CATTLE; EWE; LAMB; RAM.

2. Zoology:

The origin of domestic sheep is unknown. There are 11 wild species, the majority of which are found in Asia, and it is conceivable that they may have spread from the highlands of Central Asia to the other portions of their habitat. In North America is found the "bighorn," which is very closely related to a Kamschatkan species. One species, the urial or sha, is found in India. The Barbary…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Sheep

Are of different varieties. Probably the flocks of Abraham and Isaac were of the wild species found still in the mountain regions of Persia and Kurdistan. After the Exodus, and as a result of intercourse with surrounding nations, other species were no doubt introduced into the herds of the people of Israel. They are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The care of a shepherd over his flock is referred to as illustrating God’s care over his people (Ps. 23:1, 2; 74:1; 77:20; Isa. 40:11; 53:6; John 10:1-5, 7-16).

“The sheep of Palestine are longer in the head than ours, and have tails from 5 inches broad at the narrowest part to 15 inches at the widest, the weight being in proportion, and ranging generally from 10 to 14 lbs.…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Sheep were an important part of the possessions of the ancient Hebrews and of eastern nations generally. The first mention of sheep occurs in (Genesis 4:2) They were used in the sacrificial offering,as, both the adult animal, (Exodus 20:24) and the lamb. See (Exodus 29:28; Leviticus 9:3; 12:6) Sheep and lambs formed an important article of food. (1 Samuel 25:18) The wool was used as clothing. (Leviticus 13:47) "Rams skins dyed red" were used as a covering for the tabernacle. (Exodus 25:5) Sheep and lambs were…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Of the Syrian sheep, according to Dr. Russell, there are two varieties; the one called Bedaween sheep, which differ in no respect from the larger kinds of sheep among us, except that their tails are somewhat longer and thicker; the others are those often mentioned by travellers on account of their extraordinary tails; and this species is by far the most numerous. The tail of one of these animals is very broad and large, terminating in a small appendage that turns back upon it. It is of a substance between fat and marrow, and is not eaten separately, but mixed with the lean meat in many of their dishes, and also often used instead of butter. A common sheep of this sort, without the head, feet, skin, and entrails, weighs from sixty to eighty pounds, of which the tail itself is usually ten or fifteen pounds, and when the animal is fattened, twice or thrice that weight, and very…

nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
לַֽיהוָ֖הla.Yah.weh [belongs] to Yahweh H3068 Preposition · noun proper
6,528× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Amplified meaning
Yehovah's, God's own
Tyndale gloss
The Lord
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'

from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish

national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

see HEBREW for 01961

see HEBREW for 03050

see HEBREW for 03069

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.

Jehovah = "the existing One"

1) the proper name of the one true God

1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.

Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.

Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun proper
HR/Npt
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
nevertheless a firstborn which it will be born a firstling [belongs] to Yahweh among livestock not he will set apart as holy anyone the object marker it whether an ox or a sheep [belongs] to Yahweh it
הֽוּא׃Hu' it H1931 Pronoun
1,879× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Tyndale gloss
he/she/it
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

הוּא (hu) is a third-person singular pronoun meaning he, she, or it, used for emphasis or when no verb is present. It can also refer to oneself or serve as a demonstrative pronoun. The word has various nuances, including resuming the subject with emphasis or expressing it unobtrusively. It can indicate 'that' or 'those' when used with the definite article.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

It resumes the subj. with emph.

Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

As an emph. predicate, of God

In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1931 הוּא, הִיא he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it . an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

. It resumes the subj. with emph.

. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

. As an emph. predicate, of God

. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1931 huw' hoo

of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is hiyw {he}; a

primitive word, the third person pronoun singular, he (she or

it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also

(intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same;

sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally

(instead of copula) as or are:--he, as for her, him(-self),

it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they,

this, those, which (is), who.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הוּא (hu) — he/she/it.

pron 3p s

1) he, she, it

1a) himself (with emphasis)

1b) resuming subj with emphasis

1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate)

1d) (anticipating subj)

1e) (emphasising predicate)

1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron

2) that (with article)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Pron — Pronoun
HPp3ms
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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